Ingrid James is one of the top jazz singers from AustralIa while the San Gabriel Seven is an excellent Los Angeles-based group. They previously teamed together for the ‘Lost My Heart’ CD and their reunion is a joyful event.
Ingrid has a beautiful tone to her voice, a wide range, makes wide interval jumps sound effortless, and has the dual abilities of being able to uplift lyrics and to scat up a storm.
The San Gabriel Seven is a versatile group that, while not shy to open their music to aspects of funk, pop and R&B, have their own sound within the world of jazz. They are a perfect match for Ingrid James, both complementing and challenging her singing.
There are many highlights to ‘Blue Confluence’. A few of my favourites are the heartfelt ballad singing on ‘Second Chance’; James’ fast-but-relaxed scatting on the Brazilian ‘Papagaio Rei’; the menacing and bluish strut ‘Not This Time’; the interplay and individual spots for the singer and trumpeter Kye Palmer on ‘I Dream Of You’; and the late 1960s, Herbie Hancock-type groove on the title cut.
There are many fine instrumental solos heard throughout the set by the soulful saxophonist Glen Berger, leader-trombonist Jim Lewis (who has a nice spot on ‘Second Chance’), the passionate guitarist Steve Gregory and Palmer.
Keyboardist Matt Weisberg is the group’s musical director and forms a tight, but grooving rhythm section with bassist Jonathan Pintoff and drummer Randy Drake. A welcome special guest is altoist Eric Marienthal who is in fine form on ‘Into The Groove’, ‘Radames y Pele’ and ‘Blue Confluence’.
The fresh material, strong musicianship, and powerful yet fetching vocals of Ingrid James make ‘Blue Confluence’ an enjoyable and memorable listening experience.
Scott Yanow is an author of 11 books including: ‘The Jazz Singers’, ‘Jazz On Film’ and ‘Jazz On Record 1917-76’.
